Know your rights and responsibilities - UNICEF

1 Every child and young personunder the age of 18 has rights and areprotected by the United NationsConvention on the rights of theChild (CRC). It s been signed byevery country in the world, except the USA and in 1989, the Conventionbegins by talking about thereasons why it is needed andexplains that this is because:4 Children are individuals andmembers of their families andcommunities. They have rightsand responsibilities , appropriateto their age and everyone's rightsis vital for a world full of freedom,justice and need special care andprotection. 4 Families play a really importantrole in society.

2 Children developbest if their families/carers givethem love, understanding, and happiness. 4 Children should grow up "in thespirit of peace, dignity, tolerance,freedom, equality and solidarity. In all countries of the world,there are children living inexceptionally difficult children need special 's cultures andtraditions should be world needs to worktogether to make life better forchildren, especially children in theworld's poorest your rights . Use Tagd: your rights and responsibilitiesArticle 1 Everyone under the age of 18 hasallthe rights in this Convention. Article 2 The Convention applies to everyonewhatever their race, religion, abilities,whatever they think or say, no matterwhat type of family they come from.

3 Article 3 All organisations concerned withchildren should work towards what isbest for 4 Governments should make theserights available to you. Article 5 Governments should respect therights and responsibilities of familiesto direct and guide their children sothat, as they grow, they learn to usetheir rights properly. Article 6 You have the right to should ensure thatchildren survive and 7 You have the right to a legallyregistered name and nationality. Youalso have the right to know and, asfar as possible, to be cared for byyour 8 Governments should respectchildren s right to a name, anationality and family 9 You should not be separated fromWhat does the UN Convention on the Rightsof the Child have to say about your rights ?

4 UNICEF UK/2006/Lewinyour parents unless it is for your owngood - for example, if a parent ismistreating or neglecting you. If yourparents have separated, you havethe right to stay in contact with bothparents, unless this might harm 10 Families who live in different countriesshould be allowed to move betweenthose countries so that parents andchildren can stay in contact or getback together as a family. Article 11 Governments should take steps tostop children being taken out of theirown country illegally. Article 12 You have the right to say what youthink should happen when adults aremaking decisions that affect you, andto have your opinions taken into account.

5 Article 13 You have the right to get, and toshare, information as long as theinformation is not damaging toyourself or 14 You have the right to think andbelieve what you want and topractise your religion, as long as youare not stopping other people fromenjoying their rights . Parents shouldguide children on these 15 You have the right to meet with otherchildren and young people and to joingroups and organisations, as long asthis does not stop other people fromenjoying their 16 You have the right to privacy. The lawshould protect you from attacksagainst your way of life, your goodname, your family and your 17 You have the right to reliableinformation from the mass , radio, and newspapersshould provide information that youcan understand, and should notpromote materials that could harm 18 Both parents share responsibility forbringing up their children, and shouldalways consider what is best for eachchild.

6 Governments should helpparents by providing services to supportthem, especially if both parents 19 Governments should ensure thatchildren are properly cared for, andprotect them from violence, abuseand neglect by their parents oranyone else who looks after 20If you cannot be looked after by yourown family, you must be looked afterproperly, by people who respect yourreligion, culture and 21If you are adopted, the first concernmust be what is best for you. Thesame rules should apply whether theadoption takes place in the countrywhere you were born or if you moveto another 22 If you are a child who has come intoa country as a refugee, you shouldhave the same rights as childrenborn in that country.

7 Article 23 If you have a disability, you shouldreceive special care and support sothat you can live a full andindependent life. Article 24 You have the right to good qualityhealth care and to clean water,nutritious food and a cleanenvironment so that you can stayhealthy. Rich countries should helppoorer countries achieve this. UNICEF /NYHQ2006-2268/PirozziArticle 25 If you are looked after by your localauthority rather than your parents,you should have your situationreviewed regularly. Article 26 The government should provide extramoney for the children of families inneed. Article 27 You have a right to a standard ofliving that is good enough to meetyour physical and mental needs.

8 Thegovernment should help familieswho cannot afford to provide this. Article 28 You have a right to an in schools should respectchildren s human dignity. Primaryeducation should be free. Wealthycountries should help poorercountries achieve this. Article 29 Education should develop yourpersonality and talents to the full. Itshould encourage you to respectyour parents, your own and othercultures. Article 30 You have a right to learn and use thelanguage and customs of your familywhether or not these are shared bythe majority of the people in thecountry where you 31 You have a right to relax, play and joinin a wide range of activities.

9 Article 32 The government should protect youfrom work that is dangerous or mightharm your health or education. Article 33 The government should provideways of protecting you fromdangerous drugs. Article 34 The government should protect youfrom sexual abuse. Article 35 The government should ensure thatyou are not abducted or sold. Article 36 You should be protected from anyactivities that could harm 37 If you break the law, you should notbe treated cruelly. You should not beput in a prison with adults and youshould be able to keep in contactwith your family. Article 38 Governments should not allow childrenunder 16 to join the army.

10 In war zones,you should receive special 39 If you have been neglected orabused, you should receive specialhelp to restore your self-respect. Article 40 If you are accused of breaking the law,you should receive legal help. Prisonsentences for children should only beused for the most serious offences. Article 41 If the laws of a particular countryprotect you better than the articles of the Convention, then those lawsshould stay. Article 42 The government should make theConvention known to all parents andchildren. Articles 43-54are about how adultsand governments should worktogether to make sure all children get all their your rights .